Retaining clips for office furniture partition

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an upright partition for use in a modular office furniture system, the partition comprising: a frame comprising: two vertical posts each having outward opposing faces defining spaced apart parallel forward and rearward planes; a plurality of horizontal beams, at least one beam in each said plane, each beam having an inward face and an outward face, the inward face of each beam being connected to one said outward face of an associated post in an overlapping moment resisting connection; and a plurality of cladding panels each connected to one said beam; whereby an internal cavity is defined inward of the outward faces of said beams, and a raceway is defined outward of said outward post faces and inward of the outward faces of said beams. The invention also relates to systems for joining two or more partitions, a system for providing decorative end coverings over the end of a partition and over the converging ends of a plurality of converging partitions, and a system for hanging cladding panels on a partition.

This application is a continuation in part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/136,809 filed on Oct. 15, 1993 now U.S. Pat. No.5,406,760.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an upright partition, for use in a modularoffice furniture system, having an open internal frame inward ofremovable cladding panels within which cables, wires and electricalpower conduits may be enclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of modular office furniture systems is currently very widespread in modern office interior design. The advantages of usingpartitions in a modular office system include increased efficiency inthe use of space and individual offices with permanent walls may belargely eliminated in open office designs. As a result, a tenant ofleased commercial space may minimize the cost of leasehold improvements,and may occupy and vacate premises rapidly through assembly anddisassembly of modular components.

Conventionally a partition comprises an interior hollow rectangularframe constructed of roll formed sheet metal channel sections weldedtogether in a rigid assembly. Electrical wiring and communication cablesare accommodated in the hollow interior of the partitions, and arepassed between partitions through holes punched in the webs of framemembers. Partitions are connected together at their vertical end framemembers into various geometric office maze patterns and cladding panelsare hung on the frames to enclose and conceal the supporting frames andwiring.

Commonly the vertical frame members have a series of longitudinallyspaced slots within which dogs extending from the cladding panels areengaged. In a like manner shelves, desktop brackets, filing cabinets andother components of the modular office furniture system are hung on thepartitions to complete the modular furniture assembly.

The fabrication of conventional partition frames often involves severaloperations which require special tooling and machine setups. Forexample, where frame members are constructed of formed sheet metalchannels, openings for wiring, notches for connections to other framemembers and slots for hanging accessories are punched in a flat sheetmetal blank. The blank is then bent into a channel shape in arollforming operation, or on a brake press. The formed channels are thenfitted together in a jig and welded at rigid connections.

It will be apparent that where different sized frame members are usedand where the configuration of members vary, numerous machine setupmodifications must be made. Production may involve the preparation of anumber of different frame member configurations each of which mayrequire separate inventory, machine setups, production scheduling anddrawings. Therefore it is desirable to simplify the design of framemembers as much as possible to minimize production costs, inventoryrequirements, and provide maximum flexibility in manufacturingscheduling.

It is also desirable to minimize the use of welding as a means forconnecting frame components. The heat from welding can distort metalframes, and a further manufacturing step may be required to straightenmetal frames which have become twisted, or cambered through the weldingprocess. In addition, welding thin sheet metal frames may requirerelatively highly skilled workers, and quality control supervision.

A welded metal frame is for all practical purposes, impossible to modifyafter fabrication. An improperly fabricated welded metal frame must bescrapped and very little of the material can be salvaged for reuse. If apurchaser of a partition system wishes to modify the furniture layout,whole partitions cannot be modified easily. Therefore modification plansare restricted to the rearrangement of existing partitions, orpurchasing new partitions of different dimensions.

Despite the above disadvantages however, welded metal partition framesremain the most commonly used type since the strength is high andmanufacturing cost is low compared to conventional alternatives.

A significant recent development in partition design relates to theincreasing demands being put on office furniture to accommodate variouscommunication devices such as computers, telephones, facsimile machines,printers and the like.

In order to accommodate the increasing number of electrical andcommunication wires required in most modern office environments, wire orcable raceways through the hollow interior of partitions have beenprovided. The common conventional location for such a raceway is at thebase or cap of a partition.

The individual conventional partitions each have a raceway or severalraceways which communicate with each other when assembled in a modularpartition wall. The raceway also commonly communicates with theelectrical system of the occupied building through vertical power poleswhich extend up through the drop ceiling of the building office space orthrough monuments and access openings in the floor of the office space.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,133,153 to Hage describes a typical conventionalpartition raceway. The base portion of the Hage partition is essentiallya hollow accessible beam within which electrical and communicationwiring can be placed. The conventional partition frame is connected tothe top of the hollow beam forming the cable raceway.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,539 to Kelly et al describes another example of apartition system which may accommodate cables at the base and at the capof a conventional partition system. The vertical frame members are notmodified in such a system but rather the cables are passed over thevertical frame members around their outward edges. This type of systemmay accommodate limited numbers of relatively thin cables retaining themwithin the space occupied by the cladding panels.

An alternative conventional method of passing wires between frames isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,577 to Tenser et al. In thisconventional system openings are made in the web section of verticalframe members. The electrical and communication wiring are threadedthrough the web openings. Therefore wires are not visible but areentirely concealed by the cladding panels. An advantage of this systemis that the outward edges of vertical frame members remain completelyclear. Accordingly the attachment of other components of modular officefurniture systems is not impeded by cables overlapping the openings uponwhich shelves and other components are hung.

A distinct disadvantage of such a system is the need to thread cablesthrough the openings. When installing, moving or maintaining computersor other office equipment, it may become frequently necessary to installand remove the cables. Increased labour costs and wear on the cablesresults from such a system. However since the web portion of the framemember contributes minimally to the strength of the frame member,providing such openings does not reduce the strength of the framesignificantly.

Since most office equipment is operated on the top of a desk or table,current partition designs often include what is known as a "waist-line"waist height cable raceway. Electrical receptacles and various wires areaccommodated at waist height thereby eliminating wires which hang downfrom table top to "base-line" receptacles located at the bottom of apartition. Use of a waist-line raceways simplifies installation andmaintenance of equipment by eliminating the need for the installer tocrawl under furniture to access a base-line cable raceway and electricalreceptacles. The use of a waist height raceway also generally reducesthe length of cables required between devices all located at a table topelevation.

An open interior partition system is sold under the trade mark OPTIMA byDesign Finish Studio of Israel. This conventional partition isconstructed of vertical sheet metal channel posts with pairs ofhorizontal round tubes. The pairs of horizontal tubes at each of theirends are inserted into specially designed molded plastic end connectors.The plastic connectors are snap-locked into the interior throat of thevertical channel posts to complete a rigid connection. The partitionaccommodates wires and cables within its interior by threading wires etcbetween the pairs of tubes and through openings punched in the webs ofthe vertical post channels.

This type of partition remains at a disadvantage since special moldedconnectors must be used, and the wires must be threaded betweenpartitions through openings in the web of the posts.

Threading of wires through openings increases the time and effortrequired to install, remove and maintain office equipment, and increaseswear on the outer insulated surfaces of the wiring, thereby reducing itsservice life.

However in such a conventional partition, since the entire internalspace is open, between pairs of horizontal tubes, wires and cables maybe accommodated at any level within an individual partition in theinterior behind removable panels. Additionally, the panels are coupledto the horizontal beams with resilient tabs, rendering the entireinternal cavity easily accessible through removable panels.

Therefore it is desirable to provide a partition which may easilyaccommodate electrical and communication cables preferably at any heightin a manner which simplifies the installation, removal and maintenanceof such equipment.

Also it is desirable to protect and conceal wiring and receptacles asmuch as possible behind cladding panels while maintaining the structuralintegrity of the partition frame.

The simplification of frame construction may result in significant costsavings in respect of the type of fabrication machinery used inmanufacturing, savings in inventory costs, and enhancement of productionscheduling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention addresses the disadvantages of the prior art in a novelmanner through the provision of an upright partition for use in amodular office furniture system.

The partition of the invention has a frame which is open within itsinterior providing clearance for wires and cables enclosed betweencladding panels on the frames exterior. The frame is simply constructedof vertical posts and horizontal beams connected together at rigidoverlapping joints. Saddle brackets are used to secure rounded tubularbeams to square tubular posts with screws or rivets. The overlapping ofbeams on the posts provides a rigid connection and also defines a wireaccommodating raceway between adjacent partitions. The raceway isdefined outward of the outward post faces inward of the cladding panelsand preferably at least to the beam outer faces.

Therefore, it will be apparent that by simply cutting posts and beams tolength, and connecting them with such brackets and screws, a partitionframe may be quickly fabricated. Preferably the partitions are assembledin a factory environment and shipped to the customer. If desiredhowever, the partitions may be shipped to the site in compact bundlesreducing the bulk and cost of transportation. The partitions then may beassembled and erected at their final location. The ability todisassemble and reassemble the partition frames also aids the purchaserin moving the partitions to new premises and adds flexibility inredesigning their office layout.

Preferably, the beams are paired together at spaced apart elevationswith the post located between beams of the pair. Therefore, the wiresmay pass between paired beams within the interior of the partition andmay be passed over the outward surface of the posts between adjacentpartitions. The cladding panels are coupled to the beams with resilientclips such that all panels are easily removable to provide access to theinterior of the partition. Wires may pass between adjacent partitionsover the outward face of the posts and enclosed inward of the panels.The overlapping of the beams spaces the panels away from the poststhereby providing an adequately sized cable raceway bounded by the beamsoutwardly and at top and bottom, and bounded inwardly by the adjacentpost.

Accordingly the invention specifically provides: an upright partitionfor use in a modular office furniture system, the partition comprising:a frame comprising: two vertical posts each having outward opposingfaces defining spaced apart parallel forward and rearward planes; aplurality of horizontal beams, at least one beam in each said plane,each beam having an inward face and an outward face, the inward face ofeach beam being connected to one said outward face of an associated postin an overlapping moment resisting connection; and a plurality ofcladding panels each connected to one said beam; whereby an internalcavity is defined inward of the outward faces of said beams, and araceway is defined outward of said outward post faces and inward of theoutward faces of said beams.

In another aspect, the present invention provides, in a modular officefurniture system comprising a plurality of rectangular, uprightpartitions, a securing assembly for securing together two partitionsend-to-end in a straight line; the partitions each having a rectangularframe having two vertical, rectangular end posts, each end post havingan end face and an opposing inner face, the end face defining an endsurface of a partition; each end post having a first aperture in its endface and a second aperture in its inner face, the first and secondapertures being in vertical alignment with each other and beinghorizontally centered on each end post; the securing assembly securingtogether two end posts of adjacent partitions with the end faces of thetwo end posts abutting, the apertures in the two end posts being inalignment to define a horizontal guideway through the two end posts;said securing assembly comprising: an elongated fastener element havingtwo cylindrical threaded ends and an enlarged intermediate portiontherebetween, the fastener element being inserted into the guideway withits enlarged intermediate portion received against rotation in the firstapertures in the end faces of the two posts; and two sleeve nut meansthreaded onto the threaded ends of the fastener element, each sleeve nutmeans comprising a head and a circular sleeve, the sleeve of each sleevenut means being rotatably received in the second aperture in the innerface of one of the two end posts, the head of each sleeve nut meansabutting the inner face of one of the two end posts.

Preferably, the enlarged intermediate portion of the fastener elementand the first apertures in the end faces of the two end posts have aregular, polygonal shape and the intermediate portion is closelyreceived against rotation in the first apertures of the two end posts.More preferably the second apertures are of the same size and polygonalshape as the first apertures, the preferred shape being square.

Preferably, the securing assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongatedfastener element has conical portions between its enlarged intermediateportion and the two cylindrical ends for ease of insertion of thefastener element into the apertures.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides, in a modularoffice furniture system comprising a plurality of rectangular, uprightpartitions, a connecting system for securing together two partitions ata preselected angle to each other, the preferred angle being 90°; thepartitions each having a rectangular frame having two vertical,rectangular end posts, each end post having an end face and an opposinginner face, the end face defining an end surface of a partition; eachend post having a first aperture in its end face and a second aperturein its inner face, the first and second apertures being in verticalalignment with each other and being horizontally centered on each endpost; the connecting system securing together two end posts of adjacentpartitions, the end faces of the two ends posts being at the preselectedangle to each another; the connecting system comprising: a modularconnecting bracket having two vertical end flanges and a horizontalbight therebetween, each end flange having a hole and being secured tothe end face of one of the two end posts with its hole in substantialvertical and horizontal alignment with the first and second apertures ofone of the two end posts to form a guideway through the flange and theapertures, the bight extending between the flanges and extendingforwardly from the end faces of the two end posts; and a bolt insertedinto each guideway and securing the flanges to the end faces of the endposts, the bolt being retained by a nut.

In a preferred embodiment, the bolt means comprises a head, a lowerthreaded portion and an enlarged intermediate portion therebetween, thehead abutting one flange of the connecting bracket, the intermediateportion received against rotation in the flange hole and the firstaperture in the end face; and the nut comprises a sleeve nut threadedonto the threaded end of each bolt, each sleeve nut comprising a headand a circular sleeve, the sleeve of each sleeve nut being rotatablyreceived in the second aperture in the inner face of one of the two endposts, the head of each sleeve nut means abutting the inner face of oneof the two end posts.

Preferably, the enlarged intermediate portion of each bolt and the firstapertures in the end faces of the two end posts have a regular,polygonal shape, and more preferably the second apertures are of thesame size and polygonal shape as the first apertures, the preferredshape being square. It is also preferred that the bolt additionallycomprises a conical portion between the lower threaded portion and theenlarged intermediate portion to ease insertion of the bolt through thepost apertures and the flange hole.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides, in a modularoffice furniture system comprising a plurality of rectangular, uprightpartitions, a system for securing together three partitions at apreselected angle of 90°; the partitions each having a rectangular framehaving two vertical, rectangular end posts, each end post having an endface and an opposing inner face, the end face defining an end surface ofa partition; the system comprising: a connecting system as describedabove securing together an end post of a first partition and an end postof a second partition with a first modular connecting bracket, the endfaces of the end posts being at 90 degrees to each other; and aconnecting system as described above securing together an end post ofthe second partition and an end post of a third partition with a secondmodular connecting bracket, the end faces of the end posts being at 90degrees to each other; one vertical flange of the first connectingbracket and one vertical flange of the second connecting bracket beingsecured to the end face of one end post of the second partition by onebolt; the first and second modular connecting brackets being identicalto each other.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides, in a modularoffice furniture system comprising a plurality of rectangular, uprightpartitions, a system for providing a decorative end covering on apartition; the partition having a rectangular frame comprising twovertical end posts and a plurality of horizontal beams arranged inpairs, each beam extending between and connected to the two end postsand having hollow, open ends proximate the end posts, the beams of eachpair being connected to opposite sides of the end posts, the partitionhaving at least two pairs of beams, one pair proximate its bottom andone pair proximate its top; the system comprising: at least two coverplate supports provided on an end of the partition, each cover platesupport having an end plug inserted into the open ends of one pair ofbeams and securing the cover plate support to the partition, each coverplate support extending outwardly from the ends of a pair of beams andhaving upper and lower surfaces provided with upper and lower coverplate connectors, respectively; and at least one cover plate providing adecorative appearance to an end of the partition, each cover plateextending vertically between two cover plate supports, the cover platehaving an upper end secured to the lower cover plate connector of afirst cover plate support and a lower end secured to the upper coverplate connector of a second cover plate support.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides, in a modularoffice furniture system comprising a plurality of rectangular, uprightpartitions, a system for providing a decorative end covering on theconverging ends of two partitions; the ends of the partitions convergingat a preselected angle of 90 degrees; the partitions each having arectangular frame comprising two vertical end posts and a plurality ofhorizontal beams arranged in pairs, each beam extending between andconnected to the two end posts and having hollow, open ends proximatethe end posts, the beams of each pair being connected to opposite sidesof the end posts, each partition having at least two pairs of beams, onepair proximate its bottom and one pair proximate its top; a firstpartition of the two partitions having two pairs of beams in verticalalignment with respective pairs of beams of a second partition; thesystem comprising: at least two triangular cover plate supports, eachextending horizontally between, and secured to, the converging ends ofthe partitions, each cover plate support having a first end pluginserted into the open ends of a pair of beams of the first partitionand extending horizontally outwardly therefrom, and having a second endplug inserted into the open ends of a vertically aligned pair of beamsof the second partition and extending horizontally outwardly therefrom,each cover plate support having upper and lower surfaces provided withupper and lower cover plate connectors, respectively; and at least onecover plate providing a decorative appearance to the converging ends ofthe two partitions, each cover plate extending vertically between twotriangular cover plate supports, the cover plate means having an upperend secured to the lower cover plate connectors of a first triangularcover plate support and a lower end secured to the upper cover plateconnector of a second triangular cover plate support.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides in a modularoffice furniture system comprising a plurality of rectangular, uprightpartitions, a system for providing a decorative end covering on theconverging ends of three partitions; the ends of adjacent partitionsconverging at a preselected angle of 90 degrees; the partitions eachhaving a rectangular frame comprising two vertical end posts and aplurality of horizontal beams arranged in pairs, each beam extendingbetween and connected to the two end posts and having hollow, open endsproximate the end posts, the beams of each pair being connected toopposite sides of the end posts, each partition having at least twopairs of beams, one pair proximate its bottom and one pair proximate itstop; each partition of the three partitions having two pairs of beams invertical alignment with respective pairs of beams of each otherpartition of the three partitions; the system comprising: at least tworectangular cover plate supports, each extending horizontally between,and secured to, the converging ends of the partitions, each cover platesupport having an end plug inserted into the open ends of a verticallyaligned pair of beams of each of the three partitions, each cover platesupport having upper and lower surfaces provided with upper and lowercover plate connectors, respectively; and at least one cover plateproviding a decorative appearance to the converging ends of the threepartitions, each cover plate extending vertically between tworectangular cover plate supports, the cover plate having an upper endsecured to the lower cover plate connector of a first rectangular coverplate support and a lower end secured to the upper cover plate connectorof a second rectangular cover plate support.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides, in a modularoffice furniture system comprising a plurality of rectangular, uprightpartitions, a system for providing a decorative covering over a gapbetween converging ends of four converging partitions; the convergingends of adjacent partitions converging at a preselected angle of 90degrees; the partitions each having a rectangular frame comprising twovertical end posts and a plurality of horizontal beams arranged inpairs, each beam extending between and connected to the two end postsand having hollow, open ends proximate the end posts, each partitionhaving at least two pairs of beams, one pair proximate its bottom andone pair proximate its top; a first partition having one pair of beamsin vertical alignment with a pair of beams of each other partition, thevertically aligned pair of beams of the first partition being proximatethe top of the first partition; the system comprising: a rectangularhorizontal cover plate extending between, and secured to, the convergingend of each partition, the cover plate having an end plug inserted intothe open ends of a vertically aligned pair of beams of each partitionand an upper decorative surface.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides an uprightpartition for use in a modular office furniture system, the partitioncomprising: a frame comprising: two vertical end posts and a pluralityof horizontal beams arranged in pairs, each beam extending between andconnected to the two end posts and having hollow, open ends proximatethe end posts, the beams of each pair being connected to opposite sidesof the end posts, the partition having at least two pairs of beams,including an uppermost pair of beams proximate an upper end of thepartition; a pair of cladding panels forming a decorative outer coveringover at least the upper portion of the partition, each cladding panelextending vertically between a beam of the uppermost pair and a beam ofanother pair of beams along one side of the end posts, each claddingpanel being secured at its top to a beam of the uppermost pair.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides, in a modularoffice furniture system comprising a plurality of rectangular, uprightpartitions, a system for attaching cladding panels to a frame of apartition; the partition having a rectangular frame comprising twovertical end posts, a plurality ,of horizontal beams arranged in pairs,each beam having inward and outward faces and extending between andconnected to the two end posts, the beams of each pair being connectedto opposite sides of the end posts, and a plurality of cladding panelsextending vertically between pairs of beams and forming a decorativecovering of the partition; the system comprising: a plurality of modularpanel retaining clips securing the cladding panels to the partition,each panel clip secured between a pair of beams and having side surfacesreceived in a tight friction fit against the inward faces of the pair ofbeams, each panel clip having at least one panel securing means to whicha cladding panel is releasably secured.

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent upon review of thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiment of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be readily understood, a preferredembodiment of the invention will be described by way of example withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a frontal perspective elevation view of an assembledmodular office furniture partition wall including multiple verticalpartitions, with a central partition having a modified utility accesspanel;

FIG. 2 is a frontal perspective view, of the wall of FIG. 1, with theupper and lower cladding panels removed to reveal the internal partitionframe;

FIG. 3 illustrates an elevation view of adjacent vertical posts, of thewall of FIG. 1, showing two abutting partitions with their supportingfeet and horizontal beam frame members;

FIGS. 4, and 5 are sectional plan views along lines 4--4 and 5--5 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevation view along line 6--6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevation view along line 7--7 of FIG. 1 showingthe structure of the utility access panels with electrical power bus,and cable hanger;

FIG. 8 is a sectional plan view along line 8--8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional plan view along line 9--9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an isometric detail view of a typical saddle bracketconnection joining a horizontal beam to a vertical post in anoverlapping rigid connection;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the connection between four adjacentpartition frame posts in an X-shaped configuration;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the component parts of the connectionshown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the toggle clamp used toconnect adjacent frames together; and

FIG. 14 is a detail elevation view of an installed toggle clamp.

FIG. 15 is a sectional, exploded perspective view of a connecting systemof the present invention for securing together two partitionsend-to-end.

FIG. 16 is a sectional, perspective view of the connecting system ofFIG. 15 securing together the vertical end posts of two partitions.

FIG. 17 is a sectional, exploded perspective view of a connecting systemof the present invention for securing together three partitions at apreselected angle.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the connecting system of FIG. 17 securingtogether the vertical end posts of three partitions.

FIG. 19 is a plan view illustrating a connecting system, similar to thatshown in FIGS. 17 and 18, securing together the vertical end posts offour partitions.

FIG. 20 is a sectional, exploded perspective view illustrating a firststage in providing a decorative end covering on a partition according tothe present invention, wherein an end plug is inserted into a pair ofhorizontal beams.

FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of the end plug shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a sectional, exploded perspective view illustrating a secondstage in providing a decorative end covering on a partition according tothe present invention, wherein a single cover plate retainer isconnected to the end plug to provide a single cover plate support.

FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of the single cover plate retainershown in FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a sectional, perspective view illustrating the assembledsingle cover plate support of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25a is a sectional, exploded perspective view illustrating theattachment of single cover plates to a partition provided with foursingle cover plate supports as shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 25b is a sectional plan view showing the manner in which a singlecover plate is connected to the resilient spring connector of the singlecover plate support shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 25c is a sectional plan view showing the resilient spring connectorof FIG. 25a having snapped into engagement with the single cover platesupport.

FIG. 26 is a sectional, perspective view illustrating three partitionsaccording to the present invention converging at an angle of 90 degreesand connected together by brackets.

FIG. 27 is a sectional, exploded perspective view illustrating a firststage in a system for providing a decorative covering over theconverging ends of the partitions shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a top plan view of a dual cover plate retainer used in thesystem for providing a decorative covering over the converging ends ofthe partitions shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 29 is a side elevation view of the dual cover plate retainer ofFIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a top plan view of a triple cover plate retainer used in thesystem for providing a decorative covering over the converging ends ofthe partitions shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 31 is a rear elevation view of the triple cover plate retainer ofFIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a sectional, exploded perspective view illustrating a secondstage in providing a decorative covering over the converging ends of thepartitions shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 33 is a sectional perspective view illustrating the completeddecorative covering over the converging ends of the partitions shown inFIG. 26.

FIG. 34 is a sectional, exploded perspective view illustrating a systemaccording to the present invention for providing a decorative coveringover a top gap between the converging ends of four partitions.

FIG. 35 is a sectional perspective view illustrating the first stage ina system according to the present invention for hanging cladding panelson a partition using modular panel clips.

FIG. 36 is a sectional perspective view illustrating the modular panelclip of FIG. 35 installed between a pair of horizontal beams.

FIG. 37 is an exploded perspective view of the modular panel clip ofFIG. 35.

FIG. 38 is a sectional perspective view of a partition according to thepresent invention provided with cladding panels and decorative end andtop coverings.

FIG. 39 is sectional elevation view along line 39--39 of FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a modular panel clip of FIG. 39.

FIG. 41 is an end elevation view of a partition according to the presentinvention having a simplified cladding panel according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Office partition walls are assembled from adjacent rectangularpartitions as shown in FIG. 1. A partition is generally clad with panels5 and 7. The panels 5 and 7 are constructed of a painted sheet metalcover which may be filled with sound absorbing insulation and coveredwith sound absorbing fabric or other materials. Upper and lower panels 5may be fitted with windows, or screens if desired. Adjustable legs 4 areprovided to level the partition wall along its length.

The novel construction of the partition frame is illustrated in FIG. 2.Upper and lower panels 5 have been removed leaving only the centralpanels 5 and 7 behind which electrical conduits, communication wiresetc. are housed. Accordingly, upper and lower panels 5 may be whollyeliminated, or in part, from the partition frames if the interiordesigner wishes to present a more open office atmosphere. Furniturecomponents such as desk tops, shelves, and cabinets can be suspendedfrom the posts 1 of the partition frame independently whether or not adesign includes the uppermost and lowermost cladding panels 5.

The frames of the partition are very simply constructed of two verticalposts 1 and horizontal beams 2. The beams 2 are preferably arranged inparallel pairs on both sides of the posts 1. Pairing of the beams 2strengthens the frame and allows use of standard panel dimensions.

The beams 2 are connected to outward opposing front and rear faces ofeach post 1 in an overlapping moment resisting connection.

FIG. 10 shows the preferred means by which the posts 1 and beams 2 areconnected in an overlapping rigid manner. The beams 2 are shown astubular in transverse section having a "racetrack" sectional shape. Thetubular beams 2 have an arcuate upper portion and an arcuate lowerportion with a straight intermediate portion between. The arcuate upperand lower portions are preferred by semicircular. This section isadvantageous in that the section is easily drawn or extruded from metalssuch as steel and aluminum or from plastic. The section has a relativelyhigh moment of inertia to resist torsion and flexure, and can be easilyconnected to the posts 1 and panels 5, as shown.

The beams 2 and posts 1 are connected, as shown in the typicalconnection detail of FIG. 10, with brackets 3 having a saddle portion 20of internal profile mating the external profile of the beams 2. Thebrackets 3 also include flange portions 21 above and below the saddleportion 20. The flange portions 21 lie over and are connected to theoutward forward or rearward face 22 of the associated posts 1. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 10, the flange portions 21 are perforated andthe bracket 3 is connected to the post 1 with self tapping screws 23.Other conventional means may also be used such as rivets, bolts, spotwelding or puddle welding (not shown).

The cladding panels 5 include resilient clips (26 and 27 in FIG. 6) forreleasably coupling each panel 5 between associated parallel upper andlower pairs of beams 2. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, thecladding panels 5 are positioned outward of, overlying and coupled tothe beams 2. Due to the thickness of the saddle portion 20 of thebrackets 3 shown in FIG. 10, a gap is present between the beams 2 andthe adjacent top or bottom edge of the panels 5.

The partition is formed from an open gridwork of posts 1 and beams 2. Asa result, the partition has an open interior cavity which advantageouslypermits the passage of wires and cables generally indicated as 32.

As seen in FIG. 6 the cavity is made up of a vertically extendingcentral post space 40 together with horizontally extending raceways 41adjacent and open to the central post space 40.

The central post space 40 is defined between the posts 1, that isbetween a forward plane including the forward face of each post 1 and arearward plane including the rearward face of each post 1. The centralpost space 40 extends vertically between the spaces, parallel forwardand rearward planes and between interior faces of the posts 1. Thecentral post space 40 extends continuously vertically throughout theheight of the partition and is open upwardly to above the top of thepartition and is open downwardly to below the lowest beam 2 of thepartition.

A plurality of raceways 41 extend horizontally between the beams 2outward of and respective of the forward or rearward planes. Theraceways 41 extend the full width of each partition and are open at eachend to beyond the exterior end faces of the posts 1.

The raceways 41 are inward of the panels (5 and 7) and preferably extendforwardly and rearwardly from the respective forward or rearward planeat least the thickness of the beams 2.

The raceways 41 are open on their inner sides to the central post space40 over the entire distance between the posts 1. Whereas the centralpost space 40 ends at the interior end faces of the posts 1, theraceways 41 provide for a passageway for cables 32 horizontally past theposts 1 outward of the posts 1 inward of the panels 5, 7.

Similarly the central post space 40 provides a passageway for cables 32vertically past the beams 2 inward of the beams 2 and inward of thepanels 5, 7. With the raceways 41 and central post space 40 incommunication, the cavity permits cables 32 to be passed verticallythrough the portion between the posts 1 inside the beams 2 andhorizontally across a partition and between adjacent partitions in theraceways outside the posts 1, between the beams 2 and inside the panels5, 7. In the context of FIG. 2, with a plurality of corresponding panels5 removed, a continuous raceway 41 will extend along the entire width ofthe three joined partitions into which cables 32 may easily be laid.

Referring to FIGS. 3 through 9, the details of construction of thepartition frame are illustrated. In the embodiment illustrated the posts1 are hollow structural square steel tubes. The posts 1 include avertical series slots 24 in their outward forward and rearward faces.The slots 24 are used to adjustably and removably support hanger meansfor suspending various furniture components upon the posts 1 of eachpartition.

Adjacent posts 1 of adjacent partition frames are connected withreleasable securing means in the form of toggle clamps 25 as shown inFIG. 3.

Adjustable height legs 4 are provided at the base of each post 1 tosupport the partition frame, and level the assembled partition wall onthe supporting floor surface.

Preferably the beams 2 are arranged in parallel pairs, with one beam 2of each pair being connected to the outward opposing faces of eachvertical post 1. The pairs of beams 2 are vertically spaced from otherpairs of beams 2 at uniform vertical intervals.

The panels 5, as shown in FIG. 6, are releasably coupled betweenassociated parallel upper and lower beams 2 with resilient clips 26 and27. The lower resilient clip 26 rests upon the upper arcuate curvedsurface of the lower beam 2. The upper resilient clip 27 has an inwardleading lip 28 which guides the upper clip 27 over the lowersemicircular rounded surface of the upper beam 2 in order to resilientlyengage the upper beam 2.

FIG. 9 shows a sectional view in the plan which illustrates furtherdetails of the clips 26 and 27. Advantageously the clips 26, 27 areformed of plastic together with a panel bulkhead 29 which closes andmasks both ends of the panel 5.

FIG. 9 shows that between ends of adjacent panels 5 there is a verticalgap of width "g" provided. The gap "g" enables the insertion of thehanger means 30. The hanger 30 has an inward end which has inward facingdogs 31 to co-act with selected slots 24 in the outward face of theposts 1. The inward end of the hanger 30 is bent in an offset S-shape inorder that the cladding panels 5 cover over the slots 24 and the inwardend of the hanger 30. As a result, the slots 24 and associated offsetparts of the hanger 30 are not visible when the panels 5 are installed.The hangers 30 extend outwardly from the posts through gap "g" and maybe used in known manner to support furniture components such asdesktops, shelves, cabinets and the like.

A particularly advantageous feature of the partition according to theinvention relates to the capacity to accommodate cables and wires 32 ina novel fashion having regard to the interior cavity comprising thecentral post space 40 and the raceways 41 described earlier. While manydifferent configurations may be adopted to pass cables and wires 32between partitions and into and out of the interior cavity, onepreferred embodiment is illustrated. Referring to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 shows aportion of a raceway indicated and referred to as raceway 41b,underneath an upper panel indicated as 5b, adapted to carry horizontallyextending communication wires 32b and another portion of the sameraceway indicated and referred to as raceway 41a, underneath recessedpanel 7 adapted to carry horizontally extending electrical cables 32a.As shown in FIG. 7, in a preferred embodiment, the intermediate panels 5may be used to house communication wires 32b for computers and otheroffice equipment. Intermediate panels 5a maybe used to house electricalpower outlets 8, an associated electrical power bus 33 and associatedelectrical power cables 32. Since such wires 32b, cables 32a and powerbus 33 are commonly required to be hidden, the embodiment of FIG. 2shows the intermediate panel 5b and recessed panel 7 remaininginstalled, whereas the other panels 5 are removed.

In FIG. 7 in dotted outline, an optional cladding panel 5a is showninstalled over recessed panel 7. The recessed panel 7 has an upperportion 7a which is inwardly upwardly recessed so as to not extendforwardly beyond the faces of the post 1 in order to provide space forvertical passage of the wires 32b from the raceway 41b to equipmentwhich is external to the partition panels 5. Passing the wire 32b inraceway 41b downward adjacent the upper portion of recessed panel 7 andthen out under the panel 5b effectively and simply masks the entry ofwires 32b into the partition.

Above the recessed panel 7, wires 32b are accommodated within a cablesupport tree 34. The cable support tree 34 is attached with screws to aninner end face of an adjacent post 1. The tree 34 comprises a verticalmember with vertically spaced apart series of laterally extending cablesupport arms 35. As drawn, the tree 34 has support arms 35 extendinginto raceway 41b on the right side only, for clarity. However, it willbe understood that arms 35 may advantageously be provided on the leftside as well. A modified cable support arm 36 includes an outwardextension to engage supporting rods 37 secured to the rear of theremovable cladding panel 5b. The removable panel 5b may be removed bypushing the bottom edge inward, which pivots the panel 5 about the boss44 below the panel center line to snap the top rod 37 out of engagementwith the top modified arm 36. While the cable support trees are shownattached to each post, depending on the width of a panel 5, additionalsupport trees 34 may be provided inserted between the posts 1 supportedby the beams 2.

Advantageously, as best illustrated, in FIG. 7 wires 32b pass along theentire width of each partition and between adjacent partitions viahorizontal cable raceway 41b. The raceway 41b as illustrated is of depth"d₁ " is bounded by the outward face of the post 1 and panel 5b, and ofheight "h₁ " bounded vertically by the horizontal beams 2 of twovertically spaced apart pairs of beams 2.

The lower portion 7b of the recessed panel 7 covers an electrical bus33. Electrical power cables 32a are shown to pass horizontally to buses33 in adjacent panels via raceway 41a. Raceway 41a is illustrated ashaving depth "d₂ " and height "h₂ ". The buses 33 are fixed to the posts1 or beams 2 and include electrical outlets 8 on each side. To ensurethe safety of the installation, the recessed panel 7 is connected to theposts 1 and the bus assembly with screws or other relatively permanentconnectors. Accidental access to live electrical components is avoidedtherefore.

Electrical outlets 8 are accommodated by merely punching holes in theappropriate locations through the lower portion of the recessed panel 7.If access to the electrical bus 33 and electrical outlets 8 is notrequired, an optional cladding panel 5a (as shown in dotted outline inFIG. 7) may be installed over the recessed panel 7 in order to providean uninterrupted finished appearance. Alternatively, the power bus 33component may be eliminated entirely from that partition.

The optional cladding panel 5 may be conveniently stored within thecavity of the partition, behind an upper panel 5 for example, if accessto the electrical outlets 8 and recessed panel 7 is desired.

The central post space 40 provides vertical passage throughout theentire height of the partitions other than where blocked by the bus 33.FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a length of electrical cable 32aextending to one end of bus 33, past the bus 33 up the central postspace 40 from below the lowermost beams 2, to up to the height of thecable tree 34. As illustrated, between the panels 7 the central postspace 40 has been narrowed to a vertical duct 40a of depth at least asgreat as the thickness of cable 32. Panels 7 need not be recessed insidethe forward and rearward faces of the posts 1. When electrical power isaccessed at floor level, the central post space 40 may be used to passcables 32a upwardly from a power source in the floor and the bus 33.When electrical power is accessed from ceiling level, conventional powerpoles may be used which communicate with upper portions of the centralpost space 40 downwardly to the bus 33.

Electrical cables 32a are preferably armored in metal, and pass acrossthe entire width of a partition and between adjacent partitions throughthe horizontal raceway 41a. Commercially available modular buses 33 arepreferably used having outlets on both sides with pigtail conduits 32afor interconnection in lengthwise series along the length of theassembled partition wall.

Therefore the specific combination of the upper raceway 41b and thelower cable raceway 41a, and central post space 40 of the partitionprovide convenient means to house cables 32a and wires 32b hidden fromview behind removable panels 5b and recessed fixed panel 7. All cables32a and wires 32b may pass easily between adjacent partitions within thecable raceways 41a or 41b between the vertical posts 1 and exteriorcladding panels 5 and 7.

Preferably the intermediate panel 5b which covers the cable supportingtree 34 is positioned immediately above desktop height. The recessedpanel 7 is positioned immediately below desktop height. Since theraceways 41a and 41b pass on the outward surface of the posts 1, slots24 which support hanger brackets 30 cannot be accessed in the immediatearea of the raceways 41a or 41b when cables or wires 32 are to be housedwithin the raceways. However, this feature is not particularlydisadvantageous, since in general, hanger brackets 30 are positionedabove desktop height for shelves and filing cabinets, whereas hangers 30are positioned below desktop height to support desks, and filingcabinets.

Therefore hangers 30 in the immediate area above desk top height are notgenerally required. If a design calls for hangers 30 in that specificlocation, it is a very simple matter to position the cable tree 34 at ahigher or lower panel 5 location. Since the entire internal cavity 40 ofthe partition is open, wires 32b and cables 32a may be relocatedanywhere within the interior cavity 40 of the partition to meet therequirements of a specific design.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show the details of the connection between four adjacentpartitions in an X-shaped pattern. It will be apparent that connectionsof two or three adjacent panels in L-shaped or T-shaped patterns orbetween panels in other than 90° orientation can be accomplished in ananalogous manner.

The leading hook-shaped ends of the toggle clamps 25 extend throughslots in the posts 1 and engage a slotted opening 13 in the X-shapedconnector 14. Upturned legs 15 are pressed against the lateral surfaceof the posts 1 and clamped securely. Further securement of theconnection may optionally be provided by bolting arrowhead-shapedconnectors 16 to connector 14 with the end inserts 16a of eachconnectors telescopically received within the interior of the open endsof the associated tubes 2. The arrowhead connectors 16 include matingapertures in order to bolt them to the X-shaped connector 14.

It has been found by experimentation that only one X-shaped connector 14need be used at the mid-height level to securely connect four adjacentframes. Additional strength may be achieved if necessary in specificcircumstances by providing additional X-shaped connectors 14 as shown inFIG. 11. Preferably though, only one X-shaped connector 14 need be used,and for additional stability and strength arrow-head connectors 16 maybe used without connector 14. In this case disks 42 are used as avehicle to which to secure adjacent arrow-head connectors 16 insertedinto the interior of each pair of beams 2 throughout the height of thepartition. The use of relatively expensive toggle clamps 25 thereforecan be minimized without sacrificing the strength of the connection.

In order to secure abutting partitions together in a straight run, asingle toggle clamp 25 may preferably be used. As shown in FIGS. 3 and9, the pairs of beams 2 at the top and bottom of the abutting partitionsmay be joined together with inserts 43 which are force fit within theopen ends of abutting beams 2 and span across between abutting beams 2.

The individual partitions in accordance with the present invention havebeen found to have surprisingly great strength and rigidity on anindividual basis. When partitions are joined together end to end withinserts 43 received in the open ends of abutting beams 2 the combinedpartitions have yet increased and surprising strength and structuralintegrity.

In order to fabricate partitions, and assemble partitions in accordancewith the invention, the following method of production is followed.

The posts 1 and beams 2 are cut to length from mill stock lengthsaccording to the desired finished dimensions of the partition. Elongateslots 24 are cut into each of the two outward faces of each post 1.Elongate slots 46 to accommodate toggle clamps 25 are also cut in theside faces of each post 1. Holes for screws to attach the saddlebrackets 3 are drilled in the outward face of each post 1, and holes aredrilled in the side faces of each post 1 near their base to receiveself-tapping screws which secure the legs 4 in place.

Beams 2 and posts 1 are then electrostatically coated. The paintingoperation is carried out by painting posts 1 and beams 2 hung side byside in parallel within an electrostatic painting booth. Compared to thepainting of a relatively open welded frame, the painting of posts 1 andbeams 2 before assembly is more efficient.

In general, it is more efficient to assemble the partitions in a highproduction factory environment using jigs, workstations, specializedtools, and handling equipment. The assembled frames may then be shippedto a site for erection.

However, an advantage of the partition design is that, if desired, theframes of the partitions may be constructed on site using simple toolsand relatively unskilled labour. The posts 1, beams 2, saddle brackets3, feet 4, panels 5 and 7, and other components may be packaged incartons or compact bundles for transport to a site.

Two posts 1 are laid down on one outward face parallel to each other. Ajig is preferably used in factory assembly to speed up assembly howeverit will be understood that a jig is not necessary since the predrilledholes for the saddle brackets 3 will ensure proper spacing and alignmentof beams 2 and posts 1 when assembled on site. Beams 2 are overlappedupon the outward face of the posts 1. Saddle brackets 3 are positionedover the ends of the beams 2 and are secured in place with self-tappingscrews 23 using a power screwdriver. The partially assembled frame isthen turned over and the second beam 2 of each parallel pair of beams 2is secured to the opposite outward face of each post in a like manner.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, legs 4 have a cast metal body 4a with aslotted clip 4b upon which the bottom edge of the post 1 is positionedand an upper flange 4c through which self-tapping screws are driven tosecure the leg body to the side face of each post 1 base. The cast bodyalso includes a vertical threaded bore to house a threaded shaft 4d. Thelower end of the shaft 4d is pivotally connected to a foot base, therebyproviding height adjustment to level the partition on uneven floorsurfaces.

The assembled frames are erected and connected together in the desiredpattern through the use of toggle clamps 25. When X-shaped, T-shaped,L-shaped or other frame connections are desired, as shown in FIGS. 11and 12, slotted connectors 14 and arrowhead connectors 16 are used tocomplete a rigid assembly.

To join posts of two partitions together in a straight run, as bestshown in FIG. 14, the arm 44 and hook 45 of the toggle clamp 25 isinserted through aligned elongate slots 46 in the side faces of theposts 1. The hook 45 engages the side face 47 of the second post 1remote from the remaining body of the clamp 25. From the exploded viewof FIG. 13, it will be apparent that when the clamp handle 48 is rotated90 degrees, the abutting cam faces 49 and 50, and 51 and 52 co-act toclamp the posts 1 between the hook 45 and the shoulder face 53.

The cable trees 34 are installed throughout the length of partition wallto be served by office equipment.

Modular electrical buses 33 is installed in the desired locations.Electrical power cables 32a are run from a power source vertically up ordown the partition of one interior cavity to one bus 33 location and thehorizontally through the raceway 41b across the width of that partitionand to adjacent partition. Recessed panels 7 are secured to the cabletrees 34 with self-tapping screws.

Furniture components, such as desktops, shelves, filing cabinets etc.,are suspended from the posts 1 upon hanger brackets 34 by inserting thedogs 31 of the hangers 34 into the slots 24 of the posts 1. Panels 5 arethen resiliently coupled to the beams 2 where desired, covering over theslots 24 and the inward ends of the hangers 30.

Office equipment such as computers, facsimile machines, telephones,printers, modems, ICU servers etc. are installed within the office spaceoften supported upon the shelves or desktop components. Wires are passedbetween equipment external to the partition panels 5 and the cable tree34 housed within the internal cavity 40 of the partition frame.

Wires 32b and cables 32a, are passed between adjacent partitions throughthe raceway 41b and supported at intervals along the length of thepartition wall upon the cable trees 34. The armored electrical powercables 32a are passed through the raceway 41a. When all wires 32a havebeen installed, the rods 37 of cover panel 5b are engaged upon themodified support arms 36 of the cable trees 34 to enclose the wires 32bwithin the interior cavity of the partitions.

The partition described above therefore provides a simple constructionfor a partition. Rigid connections between the posts 1 and beams 3 arereadily provided by the simple means attaching brackets 3 at theappropriate levels. The partitions may be substantially fabricated bysimply cutting beams 2 and posts 1 to the appropriate length. Thepartitions may be shipped to the site in knocked-down bundles, anderected on site using simple tools and relatively unskilled labour. Thecustomer may easily disassemble and reassemble the partitions duringmoving or when rearranging the office layout.

Cables 32a and wires 32b and electrical bus 33 are conveniently housedwithin the hollow interior cavity of the partition. Wires 32b andelectrical power cables 32a are readily accessible behind removablepanels 5a and 5b. The need to thread such wires and cables 32 throughopenings in the posts 1 is eliminated by the provision of two outwardraceways 41a and 41b. As a result the installation, removal andmaintenance of office equipment is simplified, and wires and cables 32aand 32b are not subjected to the level of wear occasioned through use ofconventional partition designs.

Only the intermediate cladding panels 5a and 5b are required in mostcases, as shown in FIG. 2, to cover the electrical bus 33 and wires andcables 32a and 32b. The remaining upper and lower panels 5 mayoptionally not be provided if desired, thereby further reducing the costof the partition wall. The surface finish and connection detail designmay be undertaken to result in an exposed structural "high tech" lookwhich is relatively inexpensive and is currently popular inarchitectural and interior design.

A very simply constructed partition is provided which meets theincreasingly onerous requirements for accommodating the numerouselectrical and communication cables 32 of modern office equipment.

In the preferred embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the panels 5 have anend cap, indicated as 100, with an inner edge 102 such that raceway 41is defined between edge 100 and the outer face of the posts 1. Thepanels 5 need not have such end caps 100. Avoidance of the end caps 100can increase the depth of the raceways 41.

In the preferred illustrated embodiment, the cladding panels 5 have beenshown to overlap and be outward of the beams 2. It is to be appreciatedthat the cladding panels 5 may be provided to not overlap the beams 2but to be between the beams 2 with the panels 5 being open at their endsand in effect hollow to define the horizontal raceways within the panels5 between the beams 2.

Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferredembodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the inventionis not restricted to these particular embodiments. For example, thebeams 2 and posts 1 may be constructed of any commonly availablesection, or of specially fabricated sections through extrusion, such as:hollow rectangular tubes, square tubes, round tubes, oval tubes,extruded members, drawn tubes, channel members, I-beam members, andangle members. The panels 5 as well may be constructed having anexternal cover made of various commonplace materials such as: rollformed sheet metal; extruded aluminum; extruded plastic; fiberboard; andfabric. Therefore, the invention includes all embodiments which arefunctional or mechanical equivalents of the specific embodiments andfeatures that have been described and illustrated herein.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a first securing assembly for securing together twopartitions end-to-end in a straight line.

A second, more preferred securing assembly 110 is shown in FIGS. 15 and16 for securing together two partitions in accordance with the presentinvention having rectangular frames with vertical, rectangular endposts 1. For clarity, FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate only small portions oftwo vertical, rectangular end posts 1 belonging to adjacent partitions.However, it is to be understood that each end post 1 forms part of arectangular, upright partition.

The posts 1 each have an inner face 132, an end face 134, and two sidefaces 136. Each end face 134 defines an end surface of its associatedpartition. The posts 1 are joined with their respective end faces 134abutting.

Each post 1 has a square aperture 140 in its inner face 132 and a squareaperture 142 in its end face 134. FIG. 15 does not show the entireapertures 140 and 142 but for clarity shows the posts 1 as being cut offthrough the apertures 140 and 142.

As shown in FIG. 15, the securing assembly 110 comprises an elongatedfastener element 114 having two cylindrical threaded ends 116 and anenlarged intermediate portion 118 therebetween. Fastener element 114 hasconical portions 120 forming a transition between intermediate portion118 and threaded ends 116.

The securing assembly 110 also comprises two sleeve nuts 122. Eachsleeve nut 122 comprises a head 124 and a sleeve 126 having a threadedinterior 128 adapted to thread onto a threaded end 116 of fastenerelement 114. The head 124 of sleeve nut 122 is provided with adepression 130 adapted to receive a fastening tool. FIG. 15 shows aparticularly preferred hexagonal depression 130 adapted to receive afastening tool with a hexagonal bit, such as an allen wrench.

The posts 1 are joined as follows. Firstly, the posts 1 are roughlyaligned so that the apertures 142 in their end faces 134 are in roughvertical and horizontal alignment. Then, a first sleeve nut 122 isthreaded on to a first threaded end 116 of fastener element 114. Thesecond threaded end 116 of fastener element 114 is inserted through theaperture 140 of a first post 1 until enlarged intermediate portion 118becomes received in apertures 142 of both posts 1 and the sleeve 126 ofthe first sleeve nut 122 becomes received in an aperture 140 of thefirst post 1 with the head of the first sleeve nut 122 abutting theinner face of first post 1.

The securing assembly 110 is then completed by sliding second sleeve nut122 into aperture 140 of the second post 1 and threading the secondsleeve nut 122 onto the second threaded end 116 of fastener element 114.The sleeve nuts 122 are then tightened using a fastening tool until endfaces 134 abut one another and the heads 124 of sleeve nuts 122 arereceived against inner faces 132, as shown in FIG. 16.

As the apertures 142 in the end faces 134 of posts 1 are sized andshaped to receive the enlarged intermediate portion 118 againstrotation, rotation of either sleeve nut 122 will result in tightening ofthe securing assembly. It is also greatly preferred that, as shown inFIGS. 15 and 16, the apertures 142 and the enlarged intermediate portion118 have the same square shape and are closely sized to have the samecross-sectional shape as the intermediate portion 118. This results inthe insertion and tightening of the fastener element 114 in theapertures 142 drawing the posts 1 into precise horizontal and verticalalignment.

The conical portions 120 of fastener element 114 assist in slidingelement 114 through apertures 140 and 142 and particularly in assistingin aligning the posts 1 in initial insertion of the fastener element114.

The aperture 140 in the inner face 132 of each post 1 is sized andshaped to rotatably receive the sleeves 126 of the sleeve nuts 122.Apertures 140 are small enough to prevent heads 124 of the sleeve nuts122 from passing therethrough but large enough to allow enlargedintermediate portion 118 of fastener element 114 to pass therethrough.

Although FIGS. 15 and 16 show the apertures 142 and intermediate portion118 of fastener element 114 as being square, it is to be understood thatthat apertures 142 and the intermediate portion 118 may independently beof any shape as long as intermediate portion 118 is retained againstrotation in apertures 142 and preferably provide complementary surfacesfor locating the posts 1 into alignment. More preferably, aperture 142and intermediate portion 118 have the same regular polygonal shape, i.e.all sides of the polygon being of the same length. This allows for easeof insertion of the enlarged intermediate portion 118 into apertures142.

It is also preferred that the inner face 132 and outer face 134 of eachpost 1 have apertures 140 and 142 of identical shape and size. Further,it is preferred that apertures 140 and 142 be centered midway betweenside faces 136 of each post 1 and be aligned vertically. The identicalsize, shape and placement of holes 140 and 142 makes the inner and endfaces 132 and 134 of each post 1 reversible, simplifying assembly of thepartitions.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 15 and 16, the end faces 134 of each post 1are preferably drawn together with or without the spaces indicated as 43in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a first connecting system for securingtogether two or more partitions at preselected angles to one another.

FIGS. 17 to 19 illustrate a second, more preferred, system for securingtwo or more partitions at an angle to each other. FIG. 17 shows threeidentical rectangular, vertical end posts 1a, 1b and 1c. Each end post 1forms a part of a rectangular frame of a rectangular, upright partitionhowever for convenience, all details of the partitions, except for theend posts 1, are omitted in FIGS. 17 to 19.

The end faces 134 of posts 1 are shown in FIG. 17 as being at apreselected angle of 90° to one another, that is with the preselectedangle between the end faces 134 of posts 1a and 1b being 90° and thepreselected angle between the end faces 134 of posts 1b and 1c being90°.

The connecting system of FIGS. 17 to 19 utilizes a plurality of modularconnecting brackets 144. As best seen in FIG. 17, each bracket 144comprises two vertical end flanges 148 connected by a central horizontalbight portion 150. The bracket 144 is constructed so that the anglebetween the vertical planes containing the end flanges 148 is the sameas the preselected angle between the end faces 138 of adjacent posts 1,that is 90°.

FIG. 17 illustrates a particularly preferred connecting bracket 144having a horizontal bight portion 150 which is flat, has the same widthas flanges 148 and describes a 90° arc between the end flanges 148.

FIG. 17 shows posts 1a and 1b in the process of being joined to oneanother at the preselected angle of 90° by one modular connectingbracket labelled 144a. The end flanges 148a of connecting bracket 144aabut against the end faces 134 of the respective posts 1a and 1b. Thecentral horizontal bight portion 150a of bracket 144a extends outwardlyfrom, and generally forms a L-shape between, the end faces 134 ofrespective posts 1a and 1b.

FIG. 17 also shows a second modular connecting bracket 144b in positionto join posts 1b and 1c to one another at the preselected angle of 90°.One end flange 148b of bracket 144b is shown as abutting a flange 148aof bracket 144a against the end face 134 of post 1b.

The connecting system also comprises bolts 152 and nuts 154 to secureeach end flange 148 to an end face 134 of a post 1.

Each flange 148 is secured by passing a bolt 152 through an aperture 156in flange 148, and through aperture 142 in end face 134 of post 1. Thebolt 152 comprises a head 158 and a shank 160, the shank 160 having alower, cylindrical threaded portion 162 onto which nut 154 is threadedand an upper enlarged portion 164 which is received against rotation inthe apertures 142 and 156 in post 1 and flange 148, respectively.Preferably, a conical portion 166 is provided on the shank 160 betweenthreaded portion 162 and enlarged portion 164 to assist in insertingbolt 152 through apertures 156 and 142.

FIG. 17 shows the aperture 142 and the enlarged portion 164 having apreferred square shape, with aperture 142 being shaped and sized topermit enlarged portion 164 of shank 160 to be closely received againstrotation in aperture 142 in post 1. It is to be understood thatapertures 142 and 156 and enlarged portion 164 may be of any shape aslong as enlarged portion 164 is received against rotation in one or bothof apertures 142 and 156.

As discussed above in reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the apertures 142and 144 of post 1 are preferably of the same shape and size and arepreferably horizontally centered in the respective faces of the posts 1.This permits preferred interchangeability of the inner and end faces 132and 134, respectively. Also, the apertures 140 and 142 of adjacent posts1 are preferably vertically aligned so that the bracket 144 extendshorizontally between adjacent posts 1.

The apertures 156 in flanges 148 are preferably in the form ofvertically elongated slots. This permits the brackets 144 to be shiftedvertically by a small amount relative to aperture 142 in post 1, topermit more than one flange 148 to be connected to a single post througha single pair of apertures 142 and 144 in each post 1.

Preferably, the brackets 144 are connected to posts 1 with their endflanges 148 extending vertically upwards to allow for easier installmentof bolts 152.

FIG. 18 is a top plan view showing how the three vertical posts 1a, 1band 1c of FIG. 17 are joined together by two identical modularconnecting brackets 144a and 144b having the orientation as shown inFIG. 17, i.e. with both brackets 144a and 144b having flanges 148a and148b, respectively, extending upwardly and with bracket 144a connectingposts 1a and 1b, and bracket 144b connecting posts 1b and 1c.

Similarly, FIG. 19 illustrates a connecting system for securing togetherfour partitions at a preselected angle of 90°, the connecting system ofFIG. 19 utilizing four identical modular connecting brackets 144 tosecure the end posts 1 of four adjacent partitions spaced from and at apreselected angle to one another. In FIG. 19, the four vertical endposts 1 are labelled 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d, with the brackets similarlynumbered 144a, 144b, 144c and 144d. Each end post 1 has vertical flanges148 of two different modular connecting brackets 144 secured to its endface 134. In FIG. 19, each bracket 144 has one end flange 148 abuttingagainst the end face of a post 1 and the other flange 148 abuttingagainst a flange 148 of another bracket 144. This arrangement isnecessary in a connecting system having four identical modularconnecting brackets 144. In an alternate arrangement, (not shown), fourpartitions are secured together at a preselected angle 90° using onlythree modular connecting brackets 144. This is done merely byeliminating any one of the modular connecting brackets 144 shown in FIG.19.

FIGS. 20 to 25c illustrate a preferred system for installing adecorative cover plate on the end surface 140 of a rectangular, uprightpartition in accordance with the present invention.

The preferred cover plate connecting system shown in FIGS. 20 to 25c hasa two part cover plate support 222, comprising separate end plug 178 anda cover plate retainer 200. The end plugs 178 are connected to thepartition first and are therefore described first below.

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a preferred end plug 178 and its insertioninto the open ends 172 of a pair of horizontal beams 2. The end plug 178is generally U-shaped and comprises a pair of parallel legs 180adjoining a horizontal bight portion 182. The end plug 178 is preferablyintegrally molded from a resilient, yet rigid, plastic material. Thelegs 180 are adapted to be securely received in the open ends 172 ofbeams 2 and preferably comprise a plurality of adjacent, vertical ribs184 connected by horizontal webs 186. The ribs 184 are shaped and sizedto be closely received in the open ends 172 of horizontal beams 2. Thelegs 180 are inserted into open ends 172 until all ribs 184 are receivedinside beam 2 and stop 188 abuts the end face 190 of beam 2.

The bight 182 of end plug 178 preferably comprises a forwardly facingconvex portion 192 and a flat horizontal portion 194 behind convexportion 192, extending between legs 180. The horizontal portion 194 hasa pair of shoulders 196 adapted to abut the end face 134 of post 1 whenlegs 180 are fully inserted into beams 2, leaving a vertical slot 198(shown in FIG. 22) extending laterally between the horizontal portion194 of bight 182 and the end face 138 of post 1, and extendinglongitudinally between the shoulders 196. The fully inserted end plug178 is shown in FIG. 22.

FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate the second component of the cover platesupport, namely cover plate retainer 200.

FIG. 22 illustrates cover plate retainer 200 as having a convex outersurface, and a hollow inner surface having a connecting mechanism 202 toattach the cover plate retainer 200 to the end plug 178. The cover plateretainer 200 has an upper surface comprising a bulbous plug connector204, a lower resilient spring connector 206 and a lip 208 betweenconnectors 204 and 206, the lip 208 extending about the outer peripheryof cover plate retainer 200.

As shown in FIG. 23, connecting mechanism 202 comprises a vertical snapconnector 210 having downwardly extending legs 212 which are adapted toslide vertically into the vertical slot 198 between the end face 134 ofpost 1 and the horizontal portion 194 of end plug 178. The legs 212 areretained in place by shoulders 214 which snap into secured engagementwith flat horizontal portion 194 of end plug 178.

FIG. 23 shows connecting mechanism 202 further comprising a support 216provided between each leg 212 and the inside of cover plate retainer200. Each support member 216 has a slot 218 shaped to receive the convexportion 192 of bight 182 when cover plate retainer 200 snaps intoengagement with end plug 178.

The cover plate retainer 200 may be integrally formed from a singlepiece of resilient, rigid plastic. However, the legs 212, and at leastthe tips 220 of spring connector 206 are preferably formed from thin,resilient pieces of metal such as aluminum.

FIG. 24 illustrates one assembled cover plate support 222 attached tothe end face 134 of post 1. The cover plate support 222 comprises an endplug 178 and a cover plate retainer 200. The cover plate retainer 200,having had its vertical snap connector 210 inserted into vertical slot198, is securely attached to end plug 178.

As shown in FIG. 24, the resilient spring connector 206 of cover plateretainer 200 extends forwardly of the bight 182 of end plug 178.

FIG. 25a illustrates a preferred manner in which a decorative coveringmay be provided over the end surface 138 of a partition by connecting aplurality of cover plates 224 to cover plate supports 222. The partition168 shown in FIG. 25a has four pairs of parallel horizontal beams 2 andtherefore has four cover plate supports 222, which have been numbered222a, 222b, 222c and 222d for convenience.

The lowermost cover plate support 222a has been assembled "upside down"compared to the others by inserting the legs 212 of cover plate retainer200 upwardly into vertical slot 198. Therefore, cover plate support 222ahas its bulbous plug connector 204 facing downwardly and its resilientspring connector 206 facing upwardly. Remaining cover plate supports222b, 222c and 222d are assembled as shown in FIGS. 22 to 24 withbulbous plug connector 204 facing upwardly.

As shown in FIG. 25a, each cover plate 224, labelled 224a, 224b and224c, is a thin, planar member which has a convex, C-shaped transversecross-section providing wrap around corners 226, and with the convexshape of cover plate 224 defining an inner cavity 228. The wrap aroundcorners 226 are adapted to allow each cover plate 224 to both form asnap connection with the resilient spring connectors 206 and toslidingly engage a bulbous plug connector 204 of a cover plate support200.

Lower most cover plate 224a is in position to be snapped into engagementwith resilient spring connectors 206 of cover plate supports 222a and222b in the manner shown in FIGS. 25b and 25c.

FIGS. 25b and 25c are cross-sectional views in a horizontal planethrough a spring connector 206 and a cover plate 224, showing the springconnector 206 and cover plate 224 in isolation. FIG. 25b shows coverplate 224 being pressed against spring connector 206 in the direction ofarrows A, with wrap around corners 226 of cover plate 224 forcing tips220 of spring connector 206 to bend inwardly in the direction of arrowsB.

Cover plate 224 is pressed in the direction of arrows A until tips 220bend sufficiently to snap into wrap around corners 226 as shown in FIG.25c. Resilient tips 220 then return to their original, unbentconfiguration and spring connector 206 becomes securely engaged insidecavity 228 of cover plate 224.

The intermediate cover plate 224b is shown as being partially installed,with its lower end having been slid downwardly over the upper bulbousplug connector 204 (not shown) of cover plate support 222b. The plugconnector 204 is shaped and sized to be securely received in cavity 228of cover plate 224b.

Once the lower end of cover plate 224b has been slid over plug connector204 of cover plate support 222b as described above, the upper end ofcover plate 224b is pivoted toward cover plate support 222c and snappedinto engagement with its resilient spring connector 206, as describedabove with reference to cover plate 224a.

FIG. 25a illustrates an uppermost cover plate 224c having been installedbetween cover plate supports 222c and 222d. The lower end of cover plate224c has been slid into engagement with plug connector 204 (not shown)of cover plate support 222c and the upper end of cover plate 224c hasbeen snapped into engagement with resilient spring connector 206 (notshown) of uppermost cover plate support 222d. As shown in FIG. 25a, theforwardly extending horizontal lips 208 of cover plate supports 222c and222d are preferably flush with the installed cover plate 224.

As shown in FIG. 25a, the bulbous plug connector 204 of uppermost coverplate support 222d is exposed at the upper terminal end of thedecorative end covering on the end surface 138 of partition 168.Similarly, the bulbous plug connector 204 of lowermost cover platesupport 222a will be exposed, facing downwardly, at the lower terminalend of the end covering after attachment of lowermost cover plate 224a.The exposed smoothly rounded surfaces of the bulbous plug connectors 204provide a decorative appearance to the upper and lower terminal ends ofthe decorative end covering on partition 168.

In addition, the upper surface of the partition 168 shown in FIG. 25a isprovided with a top cover plate 230 being generally convex andpositioned on top of the uppermost pair of horizontal beams 2. The plugconnector 204 of uppermost cover plate support 222d is preferably flushwith the upper surface of top cover plate 230 and provides a smoothtransition between the decorative end covering on the end surface 138 ofthe partition 168 and the top cover plate 230 on the top surface of thepartition 168.

In a modular office furniture system comprising a plurality ofpartitions according to the present invention, it is frequentlydesirable to have two or more partitions meeting at a preselected anglein a manner as shown in FIGS. 17 to 19. The present invention provides asystem for forming a decorative covering over the converging ends of twoor three partitions having ends converging at a preselected angle.Reference is made to FIGS. 26 to 34 describing such a system.

FIG. 26 illustrates three partitions 232, 234 and 236 according to thepresent invention having ends converging at a preferred preselectedangle of about 90°, as measured between adjacent partitions. Thepartitions shown in FIG. 26 are each identical to those described above,having vertical, rectangular end posts 1 and pairs of horizontal beams2. The end posts 1 of the respective partitions 232, 234 and 236 arelabelled 1a, 1b and 1c for convenience.

End posts 1b and 1c are of identical height and are both greater inheight than end post 1a. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 26, the pairs ofhorizontal beams 2 are spaced apart a constant distance D, with eachpartition having a pair of beams 2 proximate its top and a pair of beams2 proximate its bottom. The constant spacing D between the pairs ofbeams 2 allows vertical alignment of adjacent partitions.

FIG. 26 shows the three posts 1a, 1b and 1c being joined by two modularconnecting brackets 144a and 144b of the type shown in FIG. 17. When theposts 1 are viewed in a plan view, they have an orientation identical tothat shown in FIG. 18, with the modular connecting brackets 144a and144b connecting the three posts 1 to one another.

After the three partitions 232, 234 and 236 have been secured togetherat the preselected angle by modular brackets 144, the next step inproviding a decorative covering is to insert end plugs 178 into the openends 172 of each pair of horizontal beams 2 as illustrated in FIG. 20.FIG. 27 shows the partitions of FIG. 26, however with end plugs 178inserted into the ends 172 of each pair of beams 2.

FIG. 27 labels the three levels of horizontal beams 2 as A, B and C fromtop to bottom. At level A, there are two partitions 234 and 236intersecting at 90° to one another.

A cover plate support is formed at level A, comprising the end plugs 178at level A and a dual cover plate retainer 238. As shown in the top planview of FIG. 28, dual cover plate retainer 238 is generally triangular,having two substantially straight sides 240 converging at 90°, eachstraight side 240 adapted to abut the end faces 134 of posts 1b and 1c,and a third, convex side 241. As shown in side elevation FIG. 29, eachstraight side 240 has a downwardly extending vertical snap connector 242which is preferably identical to that shown in FIG. 23 and is preferablyconnected to the cover plate retainer 238 in the same manner as shown inFIG. 23. The vertical snap connector 242 preferably has two downwardlyextending legs 244 and is adapted to snap into engagement with an endplug 178 by insertion of the legs 244 of each snap connector 242 into aslot 198, as described above with reference to snap connector 210 ofcover plate retainer 200.

The upper surface 246 of dual cover plate retainer 238 is provided withtwo bulbous plug connectors 248, each plug connector 248 extending alongsubstantially the entire length of a straight side 240. These bulbousconnectors 248 are preferably identical in shape and size to plugconnector 204 described above.

Extending downwardly from the lower surface 250 of dual cover plateretainer 238 is a resilient spring connector 252 similar in shape tothat shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. The spring connector 252 of dual coverplate retainer 238 extends along substantially the entire convex side241 and preferably has the same convex shape as convex side 241.

Returning to FIG. 27, a cover plate support is provided at level Bcomprising three end plugs 178 and a triple cover plate retainer 256.

The triple cover plate retainer 256 is shown in the top plan view ofFIG. 30 as having a generally square shape, with three substantiallystraight sides 258 and a fourth, concave side 260. As shown in FIG. 31,each of the straight sides 258 is provided with a vertical snapconnector 262 having downwardly extending legs 264, vertical snapconnector 262 preferably being identical to that shown in FIG. 23. Thelegs 264 of each snap connector 262 are inserted into a slot 198 betweenan end plug 178 and a post 1.

The triple cover plate retainer 256 has an upper surface 266 providedwith three bulbous plug connectors 268, each extending alongsubstantially the entire length of a straight side 258. The bulbous plugconnectors 268 preferably have the same size and shape as bulbous plugconnector 204. The triple cover plate retainer 256 has a lower surface270 which is provided with a resilient spring connector 272 extendingalong substantially the entire length of concave side 260 and having thesame concave shape as side 260.

At lowermost level C of FIG. 27, a cover plate support is formed from atriple cover plate retainer 256 and three end plugs 178, as in level B.However, in level C, the triple cover plate retainer 256 is reversed sothat its vertical snap connectors 262 are directed upwardly and insertedinto slots 198 formed by end plugs 178 so that the resilient springconnector 272 is extending upwardly. This is analogous to the reversingof single cover plate support 222a shown in FIG. 25a

FIG. 32 illustrates the partitions of FIG. 17 but with the assembledcover plate supports at levels A, B and C installed on partitions 232,234 and 236.

To provide a decorative covering over the converging ends of partitions234 and 236 between levels A and B, a double cover plate 276 is providedbetween the cover plate supports of level A and level B. The doublecover plate 276 has a similar configuration to the single cover plate224 shown in FIG. 25a, having a substantially convex, C-shapedtransverse cross-section with wrap around corners 278. The double coverplate 276 is however wider than the single cover plate 224.

The double cover plate 276 is installed by first securing its lower endto the bulbous plug connectors 268 on the upper surface 266 of triplecover plate retainer 256 at level B. For convenience, the bulbous plugconnectors 268 of triple cover plate retainer 256 at level B arelabelled 268a, 268b and 268c in FIG. 32.

The double cover plate 276 slidingly engages only plug connectors 268band 268c, the wrap around corners 278 of double cover plate 276 slidingdown over and engaging end points P of plug connectors 268b and 268c,points P being shown in FIG. 30.

The remaining bulbous plug connector 268a on the upper surface 266 oftriple cover plate retainer 256 does not engage a cover plate but ratherprovides a decorative transition between the triple cover plate retainer256 and the top surface of partition 232, which may preferably beprovided with a top cover plate (not shown) similar to that shown inFIG. 25a.

Then, in a similar fashion to single cover plate 224 shown in FIG. 25a,the upper end of double cover plate 276 is snapped into secureengagement with resilient spring connector 252 of dual cover plateretainer 238 at level A. The forward lip 254 of dual cover plateretainer 238 is preferably flush with the outer surface of installeddouble cover plate 276.

FIG. 32 also illustrates a triple cover plate 280 to be joined betweenthe triple cover plate retainers 256 at levels B and C. Because thetriple retainer 256 at intermediate level B has its resilient springconnector 272 directed downwardly and triple cover plate retainer 256 atlowermost level C has its resilient spring connector 272 directedupwardly, the upper and lower ends of triple cover plate 280 are simplysnapped into secured engagement with the resilient spring connectors 272of the triple cover plate retainers 256 at levels B and C, respectively.The triple cover plate 280 is secured in a similar manner as singlecover plate 224a described above with reference to FIG. 25a.

Like single cover plate 224 and double cover plate 276, triple coverplate 280 has wrap around corners 282. However, unlike cover plates 224and 276, triple cover plate 280 preferably has a concave shape so thatit does not substantially extend out of the plane of partitions 232 and236.

As in the case of cover plate retainers 200 and 238, triple cover plateretainer 256 has an outwardly extending lip 274 which, when the triplecover plate 280 is installed, is preferably flush with the outer surfaceof triple cover plate 280.

FIG. 33 illustrates the partitions of FIG. 32 but with the double coverplate 276 and triple cover plate 280 installed on the convergingpartitions 232, 234 and 236.

FIG. 34 illustrates part of a modular office furniture system inaccordance with the invention comprising a plurality of rectangular,upright partitions wherein the ends of four partitions 284, 286, 288 and290 of the present invention converge with the angle between adjacentpartitions being 90°. Partitions 284, 286, 288 and 290 have identicalconstruction, comprising vertical, rectangular end posts 1 and aplurality of pairs of horizontal beams 2.

When four partitions meet as shown in FIG. 34, no vertical cover platesare used to cover the ends of the partitions since the ends of thepanels 284, 286, 288 and 290 face toward one another. However, aquadruple horizontal cover plate 292 is provided to cover the top gapbetween the converging ends of the partitions 284, 286, 288 and 290.

In order to secure quadruple cover plate 292 to the ends of theconverging partitions 284, 286, 288 and 290, end plugs 178 are firstinserted in the open ends 172 of horizontal beams 2 as shown in FIG. 34and as discussed above.

As shown in FIG. 34, the upper surface 294 of cover plate 292 issubstantially square in shape, having four identical substantiallystraight sides 296, each of which abuts an end face 134 of a post 1 of arespective partition when cover plate 292 is installed. The uppersurface 294 is provided with four bulbous plug connectors 298, each ofwhich extends along substantially the entire length of a side 296. Thebulbous plug connectors 298 are preferably identical in shape to thebulbous plug connector 204 described above.

The quadruple cover plate 292 is secured to end plugs 178 in anidentical manner as that discussed above with reference to cover plateretainers 200, 238 and 256. Each side 296 of horizontal cover plate 292is provided with a downwardly extending vertical snap connector 300comprising two legs 302 which snap into engagement with the verticalslot 198 in an identical manner as that discussed above.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 35 and 36 which illustrate one type ofpreferred modular panel clip 314 according to the present inventionuseful for coupling cladding panels to a partition. Panel retaining clip314 is secured between a pair of horizontal beams 2 by firstly,inserting panel clip 314 between beams 2 with its front surface 316 andits rear surface 318 (not shown) substantially parallel to beams 2, asshown in FIG. 35. Panel retaining clip 314 is then rotated by 90° aboutvertical axis A, shown in FIG. 35, to adopt the orientation shown inFIG. 36, which shows panel retaining clip 314 securely engaged betweentwo beams 2 with its front surface 316 facing end post 1 and transverseto the horizontal beams 2.

As seen in FIG. 35 each beam 2 of partition 304 has a substantially flatinward face 306, a substantially flat outward face 308 opposite theinward face 306, a smoothly rounded upper surface 310 and a smoothlyrounded lower surface 312.

As shown in FIG. 36, side surfaces 320 of panel clip 314 form a tightfriction fit with horizontal beams 2 to securely retain clip 314 in theposition shown in FIG. 36. Side surfaces 320 each have an upper engagingportion 322 which engages the upper surface 310 of a beam 2, a sideengaging portion 324 which engages the inward face 306 of a beam 2, anda lower engaging portion 326 which engages the lower surface 312 of abeam 2.

FIG. 36 shows panel clip 314 having a pair of upper resilient arms 328extending outwardly above beams 2 adapted to securely retain a top coverplate 230, the same as top cover plate 230 shown in FIG. 25a. Top coverplate 230 has a generally C-shaped convex transverse cross-section withwrap around corners 332. Top cover plate 230 is installed by pressing itdown over resilient arms 328 until tips 334 of resilient arms 328 snapinto engagement with wraparound corners 332, becoming securely engagedtherein. This is analogous to the securing of single cover plate 224discussed above with reference to FIGS. 25a, 25b and 25c. To retain topcover plate 230 in place on top of partition 304, it is to be understoodthat at least two panel retaining clips 314 must be provided, one clip314 preferably positioned proximate each end of a pair of beams 2.

FIG. 36 also shows panel clip 314 as having a pair of lower legs 336,each extending under and outwardly of a beam 2. These lower legs 336function to retain a cladding panel, as more fully discussed below.

As shown in FIG. 37, panel clip 314 preferably comprises an uppersection 338 and a lower section 340, which may preferably be easilyconnected and disconnected. The provision of separate, connectablesections enhances the modularity of panel clips of the presentinvention. Different sections can be joined together to build panelclips having various functions.

Sections 338 and 340 have respective flat vertical mating surfaces 342and 344 adapted to abut one another, with upper horizontal mating ledge346 and lower horizontal mating ledge 348 of upper section 338 abuttingupper horizontal mating ledge 350 and lower horizontal mating ledge 352of lower section 340, respectively.

To retain upper section 338 and lower section 340 against movementrelative to one another when they are connected, a key 354 is providedon upper section 338 which is closely received in keyhole 356 in lowersection 340.

FIG. 38 illustrates a side perspective view of a partition 358 accordingto the present invention, partition 358 being joined end to end withanother partition 359, preferably in the manner discussed above withreference to FIGS. 15 and 16.

FIG. 39 is a schematic cross-sectional end view through partition 358along line 39--39 in FIG. 38. Partition 358 comprises end posts 1 andfour pairs of horizontal beams 2. FIG. 39 illustrates five differentconfigurations of clips adapted to secure different elements to thepartition. These five clips are from top to bottom:

clip 360 between beams 2a;

clip 370 between beams 2b;

clip 390 secured to inner faces of the posts 1;

clip 410 secured between beams 2c; and

clip 422 secured between beams 2d.

Each of the clips are formed from two sections snap fitted together inthe same manner as the clip 314 shown in FIG. 37, however with differentsections which have different purposes as will become apparent.

Secured to the uppermost pair of beams 2a of partition 358 is a firstpanel retaining clip 360 having an upper section 338 identical to thatshown in FIG. 37 with upwardly extending resilient arms 328 to retain atop cover plate 330 (not shown). Lower section 362 of clip 360 isadapted to retain an upper end of a pane of glass 364, having a slot 366in which glass 364 is received.

The second panel retaining clip 370 retained between horizontal beams 2bcomprises an upper section 372 and lower section 340. The upper section372 retains the lower end of pane of glass 364 in slot 374 identical toslot 366 in lower section 362 of clip 360. The lower section 340 of clip370 is identical to the lower section 340 of panel clip 314 shown inFIG. 37. The lower section 340 has lower legs 336 adapted to engage andretain the upper end of a cladding panel as is described below.

As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, two decorative sashes 368, each of which isan elongate, thin sheet-like cover member, are provided at the upper andlower edges of glass 364 to conceal the clips 360 and 370 and cover thegap between the pairs of beams 2a and 2b, respectively. As shown in FIG.38, sash 368 preferably extends into and is retained in snap fit inslots 366 and 374 of clips 360 and 370, respectively.

The third panel retaining clip 390 is shown in FIG. 39 as being locatedbetween pairs of beams 2b and 2c to secure the lower end of a claddingpanel and the upper end of a cladding panel as described below. Thispanel clip 390 is shown in isolation in FIG. 40. Like panel clip 314,clip 390 may comprise separate upper and lower sections which are snapfitted together. Panel clip 390 is not retained between a pair ofhorizontal beams 2 and therefore does not have a side surface shaped tosecure the retaining clip 390 between a pair of beams 2. Rather,retaining clip 390 has a hole 392 through which a screw (not shown) maypreferably be provided to secure panel clip 390 to the inner face of avertical post, such as an end post 1. Clip 390 has an upper section 391and a lower section 393. The upper section 391 is adapted to engage alower end of a cladding panel as is described later. The lower sectionhas a head 394 and a pair of outwardly and upwardly extending arms 396.A downwardly inclined slot 398 is formed between head 394 and each arm396. The lower section 393 has legs 402 adapted to engage the upper endof a cladding panel.

Clip 410 between beams 2c has an upper section 395 having a head 394 andarms 396 identical to those of upper section 391 of clip 390 adapted toreceive the lower end of a cladding panel. Clip 410 has a lower section397 having lower legs 336 identical to those of lower section 340 ofclip 370 and adapted to receive an upper end of a cladding panel.

Clip 422 between beams 2d has an upper section 399 having a head 394 andarms 396 identical to those of upper section 391 of clip 390 and adaptedto receive a lower end of a cladding panel. Clip 422 has a lower section411 specialized for coupling between the post 1 and a cast metal body 4acarrying adjustable legs 4. The clip 422 is not retained in place onlyby beams 2d. Rather, it is provided with a slot 432 which fits over castmetal body 4a between threaded shaft 4d and upper flange 4c, shown inFIG. 3.

The securement of the cladding panels to the partition through use ofthe clips in now described with reference to FIG. 39. FIG. 39 shows twocladding panels 5b and 5 similar to the cladding panels shown in FIG. 1.Each cladding panel 5b, 5 carries on its rear surface two verticallyextending coupling brackets 401, one located near each end of the paneland adapted for releasable engagement with two correspondingly spacedclips carried on the partition.

For example, cladding panel 5 is shown in FIG. 39 as extending betweenlowest clip 422 and clip 410 with the coupling bracket 401 of the panel5 engaging the upper section 399 of clip 422 and the lower section 397of clip 410.

As shown, the bracket 401 has near its lower end a downwardly extendingleg 400 which is adapted to fit into slot 398 between head 394 and anarm 396 on the upper section 399 of clip 422. The bracket 401 has nearits upper end a resilient arm 384 which extends rearwardly below a slot378 having an upper wall 380 and a lower wall 382. The arm 384 ends atan upwardly extending tip 386. The arm 384 is adapted to snap engageunder lower legs 336 on the lower section 397 of clip 410 when the legs336 are received in slot 378.

Both panels 5 and 5b shown in FIG. 39 have similar coupling brackets 401and each is adapted to be releasably coupled by engagement with similarslots 398 and legs 336 carried on different of the clips. Panel 5 isshown in FIG. 39 in a position secured to the partition. Panel 5b isshown in an intermediate position ready to either be removed or secured.As seen, the leg 400 on the bracket 401 of panel 5b is received in slot398, with the leg 400 engaging head 394 of the upper section 391 of clip390 so that the panel 5b is retained in this intermediate position. Fromthis position the panel 5b can be snapped into engagement by pushing itsupper end towards the partition to snap arm 384 under leg 336 of clip370. Alternatively, from this position the panel 5b can be removed bylifting upwardly. While not shown in FIG. 39, another panel 5a as shownin FIG. 1 may be provided with its bracket 401 to be coupled to theupper section 395 of clip 410 and the lower section 393 of clip 390 inthe same manner as panels 5 and 5b.

FIG. 39 illustrates a system for coupling of recessed panel 7 utilizingclip 390 which has a specialized lower section 393 to engage the upperend of panel 7 as follows. The lower section 393 of clip 390 hasforwardly and rearwardly pivotable legs 402. Left leg 402a shown in FIG.39 is pivoted forwardly and right leg 402b is shown as being unpivoted,or vertical. Finger tabs 403 are preferably provided on each leg 402 toallow legs 402 to be gripped for pivoting. When the legs 402 arevertical, a narrow slot 404 is formed between the leg 402 and the sidesurface 406 of clip 390. This narrow slot 404 is adapted to receive theupper end of recessed cladding panel 7 in a tight friction fit.

The upper end of cladding panel 7 is inserted into slot 404 as follows.One leg 402 of clip 390 is pivoted away from its vertical position andthe upper end of cladding panel 7 is pushed upwardly against the sidesurface 406 of clip 390, preferably until it abuts end wall 408. Whenthe cladding panel 7 is in this position, leg 402 is pivoted back to itsvertical position to securely retain the upper end of cladding panel 7in slot 404.

Reference is now made to FIG. 41, which shows an alternate claddingpanel 434 which may act as a replacement for panels such as 5. Panel 434is a simplified panel comprising a thin sheet of metal which hangs froman uppermost pair of horizontal beams 2a of a partition 436 to the nextpair of beams 2b, to provide an economical, simple cladding panel. Theupper end 438 of cladding panel 434 is shaped to hook over the uppersurface 310 of a beam 2a and also has a horizontal tip 440 extendinginwardly between pair of beams 2a. When two such panels 434 areinstalled on opposite sides of partition 436, as shown in FIG. 41, tips440 meet between beams 2a to provide a top covering for partition 436.

Cladding panel 434 preferably extends downwardly proximate the plane ofthe outward faces 308 of the horizontal beams 2a to the lower pair ofbeams 2b. Cladding panel 434 preferably has an inwardly extending lowerend 442 which engages the outward face 308 of a beam 2b.

Cladding panel 434 is preferably made from an inexpensive material suchas sheet metal, which may preferably be perforated to provide adecorative appearance. Although FIGS. 20 to 34 illustrate end coveringsystems for partitions having pairs of horizontal beams, it is to beappreciated that similar end covering systems may be provided forpartitions not having pairs of horizontal beams as shown in FIGS. 20 to34. For example, an end covering system may be provided wherein coverplate retainers, similar to those shown in FIGS. 20 to 34, are secureddirectly to the end faces of the end posts of the partitions, forexample, by screws. Such a system would not require end plugs such asend plugs 178 shown in FIGS. 20 to 34 and could be used in a partitionnot having pairs of horizontal beams. The cover plate retainers directlyattached to the end posts would preferably have bulbous plug connectorsand resilient spring connectors as shown in FIGS. 20 to 34 and wouldpreferably secure the cover plates in an identical manner as that shownin FIGS. 20 to 34.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates a partition having a simplified decorativeend covering, it is to be understood that a decorative end covering suchas that shown in FIGS. 25 and 38 could be provided on the partitionshown in FIG. 1.

Although the invention has been described in connection with certainpreferred embodiments, it is not intended that it be limited thereto.Rather, it is intended that the invention cover all alternateembodiments as may be within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A portable wall partition having a frame comprising verticalposts and a plurality of horizontal beams arranged in pairs, said beamshaving inward faces, upwardly directed faces and downwardly directedfaces, said beams extending between and connected to the posts inspaced, side-by-side parallel relation with said inward faces inopposition with each other; anda plurality of modular retaining clipsfor securing components of said partition to said frame, each retainingclip secured between a pair of beams and having engagement surfacesengaging the inward faces, upwardly directed faces and downwardlydirected faces of a pair of beams such that said clip is retained topermit horizontal sliding of the clip longitudinally along the pair ofbeams and to prevent movement of the clip vertically or horizontallytransverse to the longitudinal; each retaining clip having at least onesecuring means to which one of said components is releasably secured. 2.A portable wall partition having a frame comprising vertical posts and aplurality of horizontal beams arranged in pairs, said beams havinginward faces, upwardly directed faces and downwardly directed faces,said beams extending between and connected to the posts in spaced,side-by-side parallel relation with said inward faces in opposition witheach other; anda plurality of modular retaining clips for securingcomponents of said partition to said frame, each retaining clip securedbetween a pair of beams and having engagement surfaces engaging theinward faces, upwardly directed faces and downwardly directed faces of apair of beams such that said clip is retained to permit horizontalsliding of the clip longitudinally along the pair of beams and toprevent movement of the clip vertically or horizontally transverse tothe longitudinal; each retaining clip having at least one securing meansto which one of said components is releasably secured, and each saidretaining clip comprising releasably connected upper and lower segments.3. The portable wall partition according to claim 2, wherein:two of saidretaining clips have a panel securing means comprising a slot forretaining a vertical panel of light transmitting material between andparallel to a pair of beams, said panel of light transmitting materialproviding a window through the partition.; a first of the two modularretaining clips being secured between a first, upper pair of beams andhaving a downwardly directed slot in its lower segment for retaining anupper edge of the panel of light transmitting material; and a second ofthe two modular retaining clips being secured between a second, lowerpair of beams and having an upwardly directed slot in its upper segmentfor retaining a lower edge of the panel of light transmitting material;the lower segment of said first retaining clip and the upper segment ofsaid second retaining clip being interchangeable.
 4. The portable wallpartition according to claim 2, wherein:a retaining clip is securedbetween an uppermost pair of beams of the partition proximate an upperend of the partition, the retaining clip having upper securing means onsaid upper segment extending upwardly of the uppermost pair of beams,said upper securing means adapted to snap into secured engagement with ahorizontal top cover plate providing a decorative covering on top of thepartition.
 5. The portable wall partition according to claim 2, whereinsaid components comprise a plurality of cladding panels extendingvertically and outwardly of said pairs of horizontal beams and forming adecorative covering of the partition, each of said panels beingreleasably secured to the frame by panel securing means of saidretaining clips.
 6. The portable wall partition according to claim 4,wherein a plurality of retaining clips are provided to secure saidcladding panels to the frame, said retaining clips having at least oneof:an upper segment having upper securing means extending upwardly andoutwardly of a pair of beams and securing a lower end of a firstcladding panel outwardly of one beam of same pair of beams, and a lowersegment having lower securing means extending downwardly and outwardlyof a pair of beams and securing an upper end of a second cladding paneloutwardly of one beam of said pair of beams.
 7. The portable wallpartition according to claim 2, wherein each of said retaining clips hasside engagement surfaces engaging the inward faces of a pair of beams,said side surfaces having a depth longitudinal to the beams such that ahorizontal distance measured diagonally through the clip from one ofsaid side surfaces to another of said side surfaces is sufficientlygreater than a horizontal distance measured perpendicularly between theside surfaces, to thereby permit said side surfaces to be engaged ordisengaged with said beams by rotating said retaining clip about avertical axis therethrough, while substantially preventing horizontalmovement of said clip except said horizontal sliding of said cliplongitudinally along said beams.
 8. The portable wall partitionaccording to claim 7, wherein each said clip has upper engagementsurfaces on its upper segment engaging said upwardly directed faces of apair of beams, and lower engagement surfaces on its lower segmentengaging said downwardly directed faces of a pair of beams, said upperand lower engagement surfaces being contiguous to said side engagementsurfaces and substantially preventing vertical movement of said clip.